Former St. Louis-area teacher accused of rape

JIM SALTERAssociated Press Published: July 31, 2012 10:29 PM

CLAYTON, Mo. (AP) -- A longtime St. Louis-area teacher has been charged with rape and statutory sodomy after turning himself in, apparently in the mistaken belief that the statute of limitations had expired, authorities said Tuesday.

Donald Ingerson, 67, of Ely, Minn., is jailed on $300,000 cash bond after being arrested and charged Monday. He doesn't have an attorney.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch said Ingerson worked in five or six districts in the Missouri county from the 1960s through the 1990s.

McCulloch said Ingerson called his office June 4 and met with prosecutors Monday, when he allegedly admitted to sexual contact with two high school girls -- one in the 1970s and one in the mid-1990s.

"This is the first time we've had someone contact our office and say, 'I want to talk about what I did,' " McCulloch said.

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He said Ingerson did not admit to any additional crimes, but authorities suspect there could be other victims. St. Louis County police and McCulloch's office have contacted the school districts where Ingerson worked and have urged any additional victims to come forward.

McCulloch said the crimes had never been reported and declined to name the district where Ingerson worked in an effort to help protect the identities of the victims. One victim was listed as 15, and the other was listed as younger than 16. Both have been informed of the arrest, McCulloch said.

"Even after all this time, they seemed quite relieved," he said.

McCulloch said the statute of limitations for rape and sodomy varies because laws have changed over the years.

Records show no other criminal history for Ingerson in Missouri, and McCulloch said he was unaware of any crimes Ingerson may have committed in Minnesota, where he's lived since the 1990s.